Variable-speed gearing.



No. 799,088. PATENTBD SEPT. l2, 1905. J. & A. W. PRENTIGE.

VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

APPLICATION FILED AUC.. s, 190s.

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PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

J. & A. W. PRENTIGE. VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

APPLICATION YILED AUG. 3. 1903.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0- 799,088. PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905. J. & A. W. PRENTIGE.

VARIABLE SPEED GEARING. APPLIUATION IILBD we. a. 190s.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED SEPT. l2, 1905.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3. 1903.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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J. & A. W. PRENTICE.

VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

APPLICATION NLRB AUG. a. 1903.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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N0. '799,0E8. PATEN'IED SEPT. 12.1905.

` J. & A. W. PRENTIGE. VARIABLE SPEED GEARING. APPLIOATION FILED AUG. s, 1903'.

a SHEETS-SHEET s.

No. 799,088. PATENTBD SEPT. 12, 190-5. J'. a A. W. PRENTICE.

VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

AEPLICATION FILED AUG. 3. 1903.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

PATBNTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

J. & A. W. PRENTIUE. VARIABLE SPEED GEARING.

B SHEETS-SHEET 8.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3 1903.

k AUA UNITED sTAulns PATENT OFFICE.

l JOHN PRENTICE AND ANDREW lV. PRENTIUE, OF LANARK, SCOTLAND.

VARIABLE-SPEED GEARING.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed August 3, 1903. Serial No. 168,056`

To all whom. it Worry concern:

Be it known that we,'JoHN PRENTICE and ANDREW lVnsToN PRnN'rIcn, subjects of the King of England. residing at Lanark, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful [mprovements in or Relating' to Variable-Speed Gearing, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to variable speed gearing, and has for its chief object to enable the changes of speed of the driven shaft or member to be made without necessitating the disengagement of the intermeshing' gear wheels or pinions, thereby enabling the increase or decrease of speed to be accomplished without bringing sudden stress upon the driving-shaft, and consequently avoiding sudden shocks to the mechanism.

According' to this invention a stepped series or set of gears or toothed pinions is mounted on the driving or driven shaft or member, and means are provided for connecting' the gears together and one of them to the drivingshaft, and a corresponding set of gears is mounted on the driven shaft, so as to inter- .mesh with the gears of the driving-shaft.

Means are also provided whereby each gear on the driven shaft is automatically connected to its shaft or disconnected therefrom, according as a higher-speed pair of gears is diseng'aged or brought into action.

Conveniently the gears mounted on the driving-shaft are provided with double friction-clutches, by which they can be connected together and one of them to a corresponding' friction-clutch fast on the driving-shaft, and the gears on the driven shaft are provided with clutches which are operative in one direction only. One friction -surface of the first gear on the driving-shaft can be connected directly to the friction-surface on the shaft, and the other surface can be engaged by one of the clutch-surfaces on the next gear when the latter is operated, a third gear being clutched to the second, and so on with all the gears of the series. Vhen a pair of gears of high speed comes into operation, the previously-operating' gears are, as above stated, not disengaged; but the gear on the driven shaft is automatically disconnected therefrom by its free-wheel7 clutch.

The friction-'clutches or the gears on the driving-shaft are controlled by a single handle or lever, which operates them successively by a movement in one direction to gradually increase the speed, a movement of the handle in the opposite direction giving a gradual diminution of speed. A further movement of the handle in this latter direction operates the reversing mechanism. The clutches may be operated positively in both directions, or they may be operated in one direction by the handle and returned by springs.

Referring' to the drawings, Figure l is asectional elevation, Fig'. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, of one form of gearing constructed in accordance with this invention. Figs. 4, 5, 6, '7, and 8 are sectional elevations of modified constructions, and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the controlling' handle or lever.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

Referring' more particularly to Fig'. 1, the d riving-pinions A A A2 are mounted loose on the driving-shaft C and gear with corresponding pinions B B B2 on the driven shaft D. The pinions A A A2 are secured to concentric sleeves E E E2, which carry at their other endsconical friction-drums F F F2, respectively secured to the sleeves E E A corresponding friction-drum C is secured to the shaft C and adapted to engage by its inner surface c with the external friction-surfacef of the drum F, of which the inner surface f is in turn engaged by the external frictionsurface of the drum F', and so on with the remaining' drums. The sleeves carrying the friction drum and gears are made in two parts, as shown, so that part of the sleeve carrying' the friction-drums can move axially and relatively to the part carrying the gear. rlhe two parts of the sleeve are connected together by a telescopic coupling', consisting of teeth c e', formed on the meeting ends of the two parts and intermeshing' with each other. A facing' of leather, wood, or other appropriate material may, as shown, bc attached to the external surface of each drum to form a friction or bearing surface. Around the sleeves are disposed springs G (Jr/ G, which lie between collars 2 e3, formed on the separate parts of the sleeve and adapted to constantly press their respective friction-drum into contact with its neighborfg On the inner surface of cach sleeve is formed an internal rib or projection E, which after the sleeve E has been moved to diseng'age its friction-drum comes against the collar ci, formed on the exterior of the adjacent sleeve E', and a further movement of the sleeve E causes its internal projection FJ to come against the collar ci on the IOO lIO

sleeve E2, so as to cause it to disengage its friction-drum. The sleeve E2, which takes a bearing on the shaft C, has attached to its free end the lowest-speed pinion A2, the interme-v diate-speed pinion Ahbeing attached to the sleeve E, while the highest-speed pinion A is carried on the outermost sleeve E. lVhen the gears are operated, the spring G2, surrounding the sleeve E2, first moves its clutch F into engagement with the clutch C on the shaft giving the slowest speed of which the gear is capable. A further movement of the controlling-lever causes the sleeve E to move axially, the clutch F engaging with its outer surface the internal friction-surface of the drum F, which remains in Contact by its outer surface with the friction-drum C', so that the intermediate speed is obtained, and a still further operation causes the sleeve E to move to engage the friction-drum E2 with the drum F, the gear then giving its highest speed. The driven pinions or gear-rings B B B2 are provided with Vfree wheel clutches, or clutches operative in one direction only, and preferably these are in the form of pawls b, which engage with ratchet-teeth (Z, formed on hubs D, secured to the driven shaft D.

` Conveniently these hubs are made fast on the driven shaft by means of sleeves D2, which have tapered split ends D2, which enter openings in the hubs from each side and secure them tothe shaft. An operating-handle H is pivoted to a stationary support at 7L and adapted to move over a quadrant J, which is notched for the various speeds obtainable. H is a sliding catch carried by the handle H and adapted to engage with the various notches on the quadrant. At its lower endthe lever H has a projection or pin H2, adapted to move in an L-shaped slot K in a plate K. The plate K is pivoted at 7c and has pivoted to it an adjustable link K2, the other end of which is pivoted to a crank L on the operating-shaftv L. As shown in Fig. Q, the shaft L is mounted at right angles to the driving and driven shafts and is made in two parts connected together by an Oldham or similar coupling M. The inner part of the shaft L passes through the gearing and carries at opposite sides of the shaft G levers N N, which have pivoted to their opposite ends links N2, which are in turn pivoted to rods N3 N2. The rods l 2 N2 are pivoted at one end to sliding bearings N5, mounted loosely on the shaft D and connected together by triangular or other plates N, which support the opposite ends of the inner part of the shaft L. rlhe links N2 are pivoted at a point n intermediate of the ends of the rods N3 N2, which at their upper ends are pivoted to sleeves or collars N7 N2, of which the collar N7 embraces the part of the outermost sleeve carrying the clutch-surface and the collar N8 the part of the sleeve carrying the pinion.

The controlling-handle shown in Fig. 9 (which view is taken from the opposite side tion.

to that of the gearings illustrated in the other views of the drawings, so that the positions of the shafts L and P are reversed) is in the position it assumes when all the frictionclutches are disengaged and no driving action is taking place. In this position the springs Gr G G2 or their equivalent are compressed, and if the controlling-lever be now moved in the directionof the arrow the pin H2 moves in the straight arm of the slot K and causes the plate K to rotate on its pivot, thereby operating the crank L and rotating the controlling-shaft L. This latter shaft in rotating causes through the link mechanism above described the collars N7 and NS to move apart, permitting the spring G2 to first expand, thereby putting the lowest-speed clutch into opera- The two remaining driving -pinions A A are still out of action, their corresponding pinions B B being idle on the shaft D by means of their free-wheel clutches. A further movement of the lever next permits the spring ir to expand and the intermediate gear comes into operation, while a still further movement causes a higher-speed gear to operate, and so on till all the clutches are in engagement.

Vhen the shaft L is rotated to Withdraw the high-speed clutch, the two collars N7 N8 are caused to approach each other and bearing against the external collars e2 e2 on the sleeve E compress the spring Gr and Withdraw the drum F2 from engagement with the drum E. When this takes place, the pinion A ceases to rotate or rotates idly, as the pinion A now acts as the driving-pinion, its corresponding pinion B being automatically clutched to the driven shaft, while the pinionB is automaticlally released by its free-Wheel clutch from the driven shaft. A further operation of the controlling-lever causes the projection E3 on the inner surface of the sleeve E to come against the external collar e2 on the sleeve E', the collar c2 on the other part of the sleeve coming against another internal collar @2 on the other part of the sleeve E. The gear is now running at itslowest speed, and a further movement of the controlling-lever causes the sleeve E to slide along and bring its internal collar e2 against the external collar e2 of the sleeve E2, the collar e2 of which bears against a corresponding collar @2 on the sleeve E.

Wear is conveniently taken up automatically, since the pivots of the rods l 2 N2 are rigidly connected together by the plate N, which also prevents these pivots varying their distance from the inner part of the shaft L. The

inner part of the shaft L and the mechanism IOO lIO

connected thereto can thus move bodily along i the shafts D and C, and the coupling M permits this'motion to take place without interfering with the operating-lever H, which is connected to the outer part of the shaft L.

The reversing mechanism conveniently com- 2 prises a pinion O, fixed to' the "shaft D, and a pinion O, carried on the shaft C. iVith these pinions mesh idle pinions O3, which are mounted on opposite sides of the shaft. One of the pinions is mounted on a spindle n, carried in a frame 0", to which is connected in such a manner that it can rotate therein the inner end of a shaft P. On the shaft P is formed a quick screw-thread P, which gears with a corresponding screw-threaded part P2 on a frame carrying the other pinion Ox, which is mounted on a short spindle d, carried therein. rlhese frames slide on supports p, and when the shaft P is rotated in one direction the two frames are drawn together to cause the idle pinions to gear with the pinions O O, and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite direction the pinions are moved apart to put the reversing mechanism out of action.

Conveniently the reversing mechanism is operated by the lever H, which carries for this purpose a projection H3, adapted to engage with an arm or trigg'er P3 on the shaft P. Vhen the lever is in the position that all the friction-clutches are out of engagement, a further movement to the left causes the pin H3 to come against the projection P and rotate the shaft P, as above described.

Although the gear above described is designed to give three forward speeds, it is to be understood that by adding other pinions provided with clutches on the driving-shaft and corresponding pinions on the driven shaft other speeds can be obtained.

Referring' now to the modification shown in Fig. 4, the pinions A A A2 are mounted on the concentric sleeves, as in the previous eX- ample; but the clutches are made in two parts and mounted at the opposite sides of the pinions, the sleeves in this case each being made- Ain a single part in place of 1n two parts, as 1n the previous example. Mounted on the shaft C is a plate C', having an internal conical friction-surface c, and4 with it engages the external friction-surfacefcarried by the sleeve of the pinion A2. Secured to the sleeve E2 at the opposite side of the pinion from the friction-surface F" is a plate F'", having' an internal friction-surface, with which engages the external friction-surface of the clutch F", carried by the sleeve E of the pinion A', and the sleeve E also carries at the opposite side of the pinion a friction-clutch F", with which engages the friction-clutch Fi, carried by the sleeve E of the pinion A. According to this example the springs G G' G2 are mounted between the ends of their respective sleeves and the ends of the collars mounted loosely on the shaft C. The sleeves or rings NT N8, already described, are mounted, respectively, on the outermost sleeve E and on the outermost collar E. Under normal conditions the clutches F1, carried by the various sleeves, are in engagement with the clutches on the neighboring sleeves, the clutch F1 on the end sleeve or lowest speed being in engagement with the clutch C/ on the driving-shaft, the gear being now in position to give its highestspeed. Vhen the controlling-handle is moved,the shaft L is rotated and through the connecting' mechanism causes the collar N7, which bears against the external collar f2 of the sleeve E, to compress the spring G- and at the same time withdraw the clutch F of the sleeve E, thereby throwing the pinion A out of action and with it the correspondingl pinion B on the driven shaft, which is automatically released by its free wheel. A further operation of the controlling mechanism causes the collar @2 on the sleeve E and the collar e3 on the sleeve E4 to approach each other and bear against the collars f2 and c on the sleeves E and E, respectively. This withdraws the clutch F" and the sleeve E, carrying the intermediate-speed pinion A', and therefore disengaging the pinion B' from the driven shaft, so that the gear no'w runs at its lowest speed. A still further operation of the controlling-lever withdraws the low-speed clutch on the sleeve E2, so that no driving' motion takes place through the gear. 1n order that the pinions A A A2 may slide with their sleeves without being disengaged from their corresponding pinions BB' B2 on the driven shaft, these Erst-mentioned pinions are made of different lengths, as shown clearly in Fig'. A. In withdrawing the various gears the springs Gr G2 are compressed, so that when the controlling-lever is moved in the opposite direction the springs are released successively and in such manner that the clutch F4 of the low-speed gear first engages with the clutch C on the driving-shaft, the intermediate-speed gear being brought into operation by a further movement and finally the highest-speed gear. Conveniently the friction-clutches F* consist of two plates f2 f2, which retain between them blocks of wood f", which rest on a flange on a late f2, which b L is screwed to the sleeve, and the plate f3 is screwed to the platef2. The outer edge of the block j is tapered to correspond withthe internal friction-surface of the clutch F5.

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 5 the pinions A A/ A2 are mounted on hubs or sleeves f5 ot' conical clutch members FGF7 FS, respectively. These friction-clutches are mounted coaxially and are of different lengths, so that each succeeding clutch extends beyond the other, as shown. Coacting clutch members Fl, similar in construction to those already described with reference to Fig. 4, are adapted to engage with the respective clutches F F7 FS. The clutch FL, which engages with the clutch FS, connected to the pinion A2, is carried by a sleeve E", which is mounted on the shaft C and connected to it by a grooveand-feather coupling, so that the sleeve can slide axially on the shaft, but is constrained to rotate with it. Mounted concentrically on the sleeve E is a sleeve ES, connected to the sleeve EJ by a groove-and-feather coupling,

IOO

and a third sleeve E7 is mounted on the sleeve E2, to which it is connected in a similar manner. In this case the springs G G' G2 bear against the ends of the sleeve E7 E3 E, which are acted upon by the springs and by controlling mechanism in a similar manner as the sleeves E E E2 are acted upon in the foregoing examples. The sleeves E7, E2, and E9 may be made in two parts, as described in the first example with reference to Figs. l to 3 or as described with reference to Fig. 4.

A further modification is'illustrated in Fig. 6, in which expanding clutches are employed. In this case the pinions A A A2 are mounted on the hubs of concentric drums F3, which extend beyond each other, the innermost drum being the shortest. /Vithin each drum and fixed on the driving shaft are expanding clutches F1", carried by sleeves F11, which are mounted concentric upon each other and connected by a groove-and-feather coupling or other connection, permitting the sleeves to move axially relatively to each other, but causing them to rotate together. The `innermost sleeve F11 is connected by a groove-andfeather coupling to the shaft C, and between each sleeve F11 and its corresponding expanding clutch F1,0 is disposed crank mechanism F12, so that as each sleeve is moved axially relatively to the others the mechanism F12 causes the clutch F111to expand and engage its corresponding drum F2 or to be disengaged from it, according as the sleeve is moved to the right or to the left.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7 collapsing or contracting friction-clutches are employed instead of expanding ones, as above described. According to this construction the pinions A A A2 are mounted on concentric sleeves carrying brake-drums F13. Mounted loosely on the shaft C is a cylinder F11, through which a series of studs F15 project and carry at their inner ends blocks F111, adapted to engage with the various drums F13. ,The studs which engage with the drum F13 of the pinion A carry at their outer ends cranks F17, the other ends of which are connected to arms F18 on a sleeve F12. Similar cranks and arms are provided on the studs F13,

.which are adapted by their blocks F13 to engage with the drums connected to the pinions A' A2, and these cranks are connected 1n turn Yto arms on the sleeves F20 F21. rI`he sleeve F21 is connected to the shaft C by a groove- .and-feather coupling, and the sleeves F20 F12 `are connected to each other in a similar manner. The arrangement is that when one of the sleeves is moved axially relatively to the other it operates, through its arms F18 and crank F17, one of the series of stu-ds passing through the drum F11. This causes thestuds F15 to rotate, and these are provided with a quick screw-thread F22, passing through a correspondingly-screw-threaded pinion in the drum F12, causing the blocks F16 to be compressed against their corresponding drum F13, thereby locking one of the pinionsA, A', or A2 to the driving-shaft C.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the pinions A A A2 are mounted on concentric sleeves which are free to rotate relatively to each other and to the driving-shaft C. On the opposite ends of the sleeves are carried friction-drums F23, which are capable of moving axially on the sleeves, but are constrained to rotate with them and which have internal and external friction-surfaces.v The frictiondrum C2 is mounted on a shaft C so that it is free to move axially thereon, but rotates constantly with the shaft. Between the boss of the frame C2 and a stop or shoulder c2 on the shaft is disposed a spring G3. Between each pair of drums is mounted a plate-spring Q, which tends to force the drums away from each other., Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in the drawings, all the clutches are in engagement, so that the pinion A is the driving pinion and the gear is giving its highest speed. Should the clutchC2 be moved to compress the spring G3, then momentarily the spring Q between lC2 and drum of the pinion A2 will expand, to be followed immediately by the expansion of the springs between the drums of the pinions A2 A; but the final expansion will rest with the springs between the drums of the pinions A and A, resulting in the pinion A being disconnected. A further compression of the spring G3 will result in the pinion A' being disconnected, and nally the pinion A2 by a further compression of the spring G3 will be released. vWhen the spring G3 is allowed to expand, the spring Q between the drums C2 and C of the pinion A2 will first be compressed, since the remaining springs Q will act in conjunction with the spring G3 to give this result, and a IOO further expansion of G3 will result in the intermediate spring Q being compressed and the intermediate pinion A coming into action. The springs Q between the several gears are of unequal strength and so arranged that the clutches are successively actuated, as above described.

The action above describedis due to the fact that the spring Q, controlling the friction-clutch of the outermost gear, has less resistance to act against than the other springs, and therefore expands first.

In all cases the speed obtained from the gearing i's'increased by bringing into action a friction-clutch connected to a pinion without disengaging the clutch which has hitherto been in operation, and the pinion on the driven-shaftgearing,withthepinionconnected to the clutch, is automatically disconnected by means of a free wheel-clutch, a decrease of speed being obtained by disengaging the clutches successively.

IIO

IZO

That we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with two shafts, a stepped series of g'ears, ,means for connecting one of the gears to one of said shafts, and means for connecting' all the gears together successively, of a second stepped series ofgears mounted loosely on the second shaft and meshing with the first series, and means for automatically connecting and disconnecting each gear of the second series and its shaft when a higher-speed pair is released and brought into action respectively.

2. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a driving' member, a driven member, a stepped series of gears, means for connecting one of the gears directly to the driving' member and means for connecting all the gears of the 'series together-successively, of a second stepped series of gears intermeshing with the first series, and means for automatically connecting each driven gear to the driven member when the corresponding gear is connected to the driving' member and automatically disconnecting it therefrom when its driving-gear is released.

3. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a driving' member, a driven member, a stepped series of gears, means for connecting one of the gears directly to the driving member, means for connecting' all the gears of the series together successively, and controlling means for operating the connecting means, of a second stepped series ofgears intermeshing with the lirst series, and means for automatically connecting each driven gear separately to and disconnecting it from the driven member respectively when a higherspeed pair is brought into or put out of action.

a. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a driving' member, a driven member, a stepped series of gears, means for connecting one of the gears directly to the driving' member, means for connecting all the gears of the series together successively, and controlling means for operating the connecting means, of a second stepped series of gears intermeshing with the gears of the lirst series, means fon automatically connecting' each driven gear separately to and disconnecting it from the driven memberrespeetively when a higher-speed pair is brought into or out of action, and means for reversing the direction of motion of the driven member.

5. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a driving-shaft, a driven member, a stepped series of gears, means for connecting one of the gears directly to the drivingshaft, means for connecting all the gears of the series together successively, and controlling means for operating the connecting' means, of a second stepped series of gears intermeshing with the first series, means for automaticall y connecting each driven gear separately to and disconnecting itfrom the driven member respectively when a higher-speed pair is brought into or out of action, means for reversing' the direction of motion of the driven member, and means for operating the reversing means.

6. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a d riving-shaft, a driven member, a stepped series of gears, means for connecting' one of the gears directly to the drivingshaft, means for connecting all the gears of the series together successively, and controlling means for operating the connecting means, of a second stepped series of gears intermeshing with the first series, means for automat-ically connecting each driven gear separately to and disconnecting it from the driven member respectively when a higher-s1.)eed pair is brought into or out of action, means for reversing the direction of motion of the driven member, and means connected with the speed-controlling' means for operating the reversing means.

7. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, a stepped series of gears, of means for connecting one of the gears directly to the drivingshaft, means for connecting all the gears together, a second stepped series of gears gearing with the first series and means operative in one direction only for automatically connecting each gear of the second series to and disconnecting it from the driven shaft when a higher-speed pair of gears is brought in or put out of action.

8. 1n a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a shaft, and a stepped sei'ies of pinions, of double friction-clutches connected to the pinions, a friction-clutch carried by the shaft, and means for moving' the separate clutches intoengagement with each other, and one of them with the friction-clutch on the shaft.

9. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a driving-sha ft, and a stepped series of pinions, of double friction-clutches connected to each pinion, means whereby the clutches can move relatively to the pinions, a friction-clutch carried by the driving-shaft and adapted to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, and means for operating' the friction-clutches.

l0. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a driving-shaft, and a stepped series of pinions, of double friction-clutches connected to each pinion, a friction-clutch carried by the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, means for moving the separate clutches into engagement with each other, and means for disengaging the clutches.

11. In a variable-speed g'earing, the combi- -nation with a dri ving-shaft, and a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-clutch carried by each pinion, a friction-clutch on the IOO driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction clutches, means for moving each clutch separately into engagement, means for disengaging each clutch separately, and means for taking up wear.

12. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a sleeve connected to each pinion, a double friction-clutch on each sleeve, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, a spring pressing each clutch into engagement with its neighbor, and means for withdrawing the clutches substantially as described.

13. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-surface on the shaft adapted to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, a spring' holding each pinion-clutch in engagement with another pinion-clutch, and lever mechanism for withdrawing the clutches successively.

14E. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-surface on the shaft adapted to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, a spring holding each pinion-clutch in engagement with another pinion-clutch, lever mechanism for withdrawing the clutches successively and means connected with the lever mechanism for taking up wear.

l5. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a stepped series of p'inions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, springs forcing the friction-clutches into engagement, a controllingshaft, and lever mechanism between the clu/tch and the controlling-shaft substantially as described. i

16. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, springs forcing the friction-clutches into engagement, a controllingshaft, lever mechanism between the clutches and the controlling-shaft and means connected with the lever mechanism for withdrawing the clutches successively substantially as described.

17. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pin- -ion friction-surfaces, springs forcing the friction-clutches into engagement with each other, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the lever, and collars connected to the pivoted rods and engaging with the clutches to Withdraw each clutch successively and compress the springs connected therewith substantially as described.

18. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a double friction-surface connected to each pinion, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, means whereby the friction surface can move axially, springs for forcing the friction-surfaces into engagement with each other, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the lever, and collars connected to the pivotedrods and engaging with the clutches to withdraw each clutch successively and compress the springs connected therewith substantially as described.

19. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a telescopic sleeve connected to each pinion, and each section thereof having an external collar, double clutch members on each sleeve, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the shaft to engage with one of the pinion-clutches, a spring bearing against the external collars on each sleeve to force the clutches together, internal collars on the sleeve adapted to engage with the spring-retaining collars on another sleeve, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the lever, and collars connected to the pivoted rods and engaging with one of the sleeves to withdraw each clutch successively and compress the springs connected therewith substantially as described.

20. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a sleeve'connected to each pinion and made in two parts capable of relative axial movement, a spring' disposed between collars on the separate parts, a double friction-clutch member mounted on each sleeve, external collars on each of the concentric sleeves, internal collars on each concentric sleeve adapted when the sleeve is moved axially to engage with the external collars on an adjacent sleeve, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the lever, and collars connected to the pivoted rods'and engaging with the clutches to withdraw each clutch successively and compress" the springs connected therewith substantially as described.

21. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a sleeve connected to each inion and capable of relative movement withD regard to the pinion, a spring disposed between collars on the sleeve and a stationary part, a double friction-clutch member mounted on each sleeve, an internal collar on the concentric sleeve adapted when the sleeve is moved axially to engage the external collar on the adjacent sleeve, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the lever, aplate IOO IIO

connecting the shaft-bearings withthe bearings of the pivoted reds, and collars connected to the pivoted rods and engaging with the clutch-sleeves to withdraw each clutch successively' substantially as described.

22. ln a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a stepped series of pinions, double friction-clutches connected to the pinions, a shaft, a friction-clutch carried bythe shaft, means for moving the separate clutches into engagement with each other, and one of them with the shaft friction-clutch, of a second series of gears meshing with the first series, a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one direction only between each driven gear and.

the shaft substantially as described.

Q3. ln a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, double friction-clutches connected to each pinion, means whereby the clutches can move relatively to the pinions, a friction-clutch carried by the driving-shaft and adapted to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, and means for operating the friction-clutches, of a second series of gears meshing with the first series, a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one direction only between each driven gear and the shaft substantially as described.

24. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, double friction-clutches connected to each pinion, a friction-clutch carried by the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion vfrictionclutehes, means for moving the separate clutches into engagement with each other, and means for disengaging the clutches, of a second series of gears meshing with the first series, a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one direction only between each driven gear and the shaft substantially as described.

25. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a stepped series of pinions, asleeve connected to each pinion, a double frictionclutch on each sleeve, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, a spring pressing each clutch into engagement with its neighbor, and means for withdrawing' the clutches, of a second series of gears meshing with the first series, a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one' direction only between each driven gear and the shaft substantially as described.

Q6. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with a stepped series of pinions, each having a double friction-clutch connected thereto, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the shaft adapted to engage with one of the pinion friction-clutches, a spring holding each pinion-clutch, in engagement with another pinion-clutch and lever mechanism for withdrawing the clutches sucessi'vely, of a second series of gears meshing with the first series,

a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one direction only between each driven gear and the shaft substantially as described.

2T. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, each having a double friction-surface connected thereto, a driving-shaft, a friction-clutch on the driving-shaft to engage with one of the pinion friction-surfaces, springs forcing the friction-clutches into engagement,- a controlling-shaft, and lever mechanism between the clutches and the controlling-shaft, of a second series of gears meshing' with the first series, a driven shaft, and clutches operative in one direction only between each driven gear and the shaft substantially as described.

2S. AIn a variable-speed gearing, the combination with a stepped series of pinions, of a sleeve connected to each pinion and capable of axial movement, an external collar on the sleeve, a spring bearing against the external sleeve, a double friction-clutch mounted on each sleeve, the internal collar on each sleeve adapted when the sleeve is moved axially to engage with an external collar on the adjacent sleeve, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to thel lever, sleeves on the rods adapted to engage with collars on the outermost concentric sleeve, a plate connecting the shaft-bearings with the bearings of the pivoted rods, a second series of gears meshing with the first series, a driven shaft, clutches operative in one direction only between each gear and the driven shaft, an operating-lever, a pivoted slotted plate, a projection on the lever engaging' with the slot in the plate, and a crank connected to the lever and to the controlling-shaft substantially as described.

29. In a variable-speed gearing', the combination with astepped series of pinions, of a sleeve connected to each pinion and capable of axial movement, a spring bearing' against the external collar on the sleeve, a double friction-clutch mounted on each sleeve, an internal collar on each sleeve adapted when the sleeve is moved axially to engage with the external collar on the adjacent sleeve, a controlling-shaft, a lever on the shaft, pivoted rods connected to the levers, sleeves on the rods adapted to engage with collars on the outermost concentric sleeve, a plate connecting the sl'iaft-bearings with the bearings of the pivoted rods, a second series of gears meshing' with the first series, a driven shaft, clutches operative in one direction only between each gear and the driven shaft, an operating-lever, a pivoted slotted plate, a projection on the lever engaging with a slot in the plate, a crank connected to the lever, a pinion on the driving-shaft, a pinion on the driven shaft, an idle pinion mounted in sliding bearings, a screw-threaded shaft connected to the idle-pinion-supporting frame, and

IIO

1 means connected with the speed s-'controlling lever for rotating the screw -threaded shaft substantially` as described.

' v30. In a variable-speed gearing, the combination Witha stepped series. of pinions, of a sleeve'connected to each pinion andcapable of axial movement, an external collar. on'. each sleeve, a spring bearing.V against the external collar on .each sleeve, a double friction-clutch mounted oneachsleeve, an internal :collar on Aeach sleeve adapted when the sleeve iszmoved naxially to engage with: an external collaron the adjacent sleeve, a .controlling-shaft, a le- Y vver onthe shaft, pivoted rods mounted on plates connecting the shaft-bearings Withthe Y sliding sleeves .and connected tothe lever, sleeves on the rods, adapted to engage vWith collars on the youtermost concentric sleeve,

'- bearings of the controlling-shaft, an .operat- .ing-lever, a pivoted slotted plate, a projection i on the lever engaging With .the slot'in thev "plate, a crank connected to the controllingshaft, connected Withthe slotted plate, asecl*bearings for the pinion, a screw-threaded vond series of gears meshing with the firstseries, a driven shaft, clutches operative in one direction only between eachdriven geary and A Vits shaft, a pinion on the driving-shaft,apinion on the driven shaft, an id le'pinion, sliding shaft connected With the idle-pinion-supporting frame, a crank on the screw-threaded shaft, and a projection on the controlling lever f adapted to engage the controlling-crankgsubstantially as described.

31. In a variable-speed gearing, the combi- .nation With a driving-shaft, a'driven-shaft, a

. series of driving members, and means forconnecting all the driving members together andone of them to the driving-shaft, vof a series of drivenmembers, and means Wherebyeach of the driven members is connected to its shaft only when its cooperating member on the driving-shaft 1s .acting as the driving. member.

1.32. The combination of ashaft, a plurality of gears-loosely mounted .onsaid shaftv andreaclrcorresponding toa certain speed, a` plu- I .ralityA of friction-clutches for. connecting saidV gears with the shaft, each of said clutches including a member adapted to move longitudinally of the shaft, and means for rendering one'of said clutches operative and thenrendering other ofA said clutches'operative Without opening-that or those already operative. 33. The vcombination of a shaft, a plurality of'gears loosely mounted on the shaft andl each corresponding to a certain speed, frictionclutches :for vconnecting said f gears with the shaft, one member of each clutch being adaptedto move longitudinally of the shaft relativel to the other member thereof, means for moving the sliding member of one clutch into engagement With the other member of said clutch and then moving the sliding members of other fof said clutches into operative position While v retaining the clutch orclutches previouslyengagged irl-engagement. l

34. The combinationof ashaft, a plurality 4of gears. looselyvmounted on. the-.shaft and each corresponding'to a certain speed, a plu- .xr'ality' of concentric clutches,-each consisting 'of axmaleandvfemale member one of which is adapted toslide. longitudinally of. theA shaft,

and .means for.y engaging-the membersof l.one

-` of said gearscorresponding to a certain speed,

a pluralityv of .friction-clutches.for-connecting said sleeves. to the. shaft, and; each .having one member mounted: onthe shaft toamove'toward andv fromtheother member. .longitudinally of the shaft While rotating. thereWith,-and-means for'moving the :slidingV member of .one clutch into `position to connect one of said sleeves to the shaft-and then rendering the other clutches successively operative While retaining the previously-engaged sleeve; or sleeves inn engage- .ment With the shaft.

36. The combination of a shaft, a plurality of'gearsloosely mounted on-the shaft'and eachcorrespondingto a-certain speed, aplurality of friction-clutches each adapted to connect .one of said gears: tothe sha'ftandgeach Vincluding a member adapted. to Vslide-longitudinally ofthe shaft relative to the other member, each of said clutches except the outermost being inclosed by oneorymore ofI the others, and means rendering .one of said clutches operative and then rendering others thereof. op-

. erative Without disengaging that or those previously closed. 37. Thecombination. of a;drivingshaft, a driven shaft, a plurality` of trains of gearing of different'speeds, eachhav-ing a member. mounted .on and adapted to rbeconnected. to or disconnected from each ofsaid .shafts,. means for successively connecting saidtrams of gearing `to the. driving-.shaft While-retaining =the `train or trains previously engagedk With said sh aft in engagementv therewith,- means foriconnectingeach train ofgearing -to the driven shaft, as'said train Vis engaged Withthe driving-shaft,and means for automatically discon- IOO rio

necting each train of gearing from the driven shaft as a train of higher :speed is connected With the'driving-shaft.

Y 38. .The combination of adriving-shaft, a.

driven shaft, a pluralityl of .trains of gearing of different speeds,=.:each having a; member mounted onandadapted to. he connected to or disconnected .from each of said shafts, frictionclutches, each 4includinga member mounted to slide on the: driving-.shaft relative to the other `member,` for respectively. connecting-said trains of gearing with said shaft, means for connecting each train of gearing' to the driven shaft as said train is engaged with the drivingshaft, means for rendering one of said clutches operative and then rendering other of said clutches operative without releasing that or those previously rendered operative, and means for automatically disconnecting each train of gearing from the driven shaft as a train of higher speed is connected with the driving-shaft.

39. The combination of a driving-shaft, a driven shaft, a plurality of gears mounted loosely on the driving-shaft, a plurality of gears mounted loosely on the driven shaft and constantly meshing with the gears on the d riving-shaft, friction-clutches, each adapted to connect one of said gears on the driving-shaft 'JOHN NV. iNICCALL, HENRY LAING. 

